Research Published in European Journal of Pharmacology Shows that Star Scientific , Inc.'s Anatabine Suppresses Brain Inflammation in Animal Model of Alzheimer's Disease and in Blood

GLEN ALLEN, Va., Nov. 27, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Star Scientific, Inc. (NASDAQ: STSI) today announces that new anatabine research has been accepted by and published online in the European Journal of Pharmacology. In a series of studies, researchers at the Roskamp Institute demonstrated that anatabine can suppress brain inflammation in animal models of Alzheimer's disease, inflammation in the blood in mice, and inflammation induced in human blood once removed from the body. This peer-reviewed data supporting the view that anatabine has widespread anti-inflammatory properties was published in a paper, titled, "Anti-inflammatory Activity of Anatabine Via Inhibition of STAT3 Phosphorylation". The anatabine used in these studies is made under Star Scientific's patented process and is the main ingredient in its Anatabloc® dietary supplement.

In one study, the highly inflammatory molecule LPS, which is released from bacteria during human infections, was injected into mice. Subsequently, there were expected large increases in inflammatory molecules in the blood, spleen, and kidney; however, when co-treated with anatabine there were statistically significant large decreases in these inflammatory molecules in the blood, spleen, and kidney. The spleen, in particular, showed marked suppression of inflammatory molecule release during co-treatment with anatabine.

In addition, the Roskamp Institute team showed that in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease, supplementation with anatabine resulted in a significant suppression of inflammatory markers, especially a marker called TNF-Alpha, which is known to be raised in Alzheimer's disease. This finding complements a previous study by the Roskamp Institute showing reduction of the amyloid protein in this mouse model of Alzheimer's after treatment with anatabine. The reduction of the accumulation of amyloid and inflammation in the brain are known to be intimately linked, one increasing the other. Therefore, anatabine's reduction of both amyloid levels and inflammation encourage the hypothesis that anatabine may be a useful treatment for Alzheimer's disease.

Finally, the research team showed that a key mediator of inflammation known as STAT3, which is activated during inflammation, was suppressed in the presence of anatabine in spleen, kidney, and brain of mice, and cultured human neurons and human white cells. The entire manuscript can be viewed at: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ejphar.2012.11.017

Dr. Michael Mullan, the CEO and President of the Roskamp Institute stated, "Anatabine continues to demonstrate widespread anti-inflammatory properties in a broad array of pre-clinical models. Given the commonality of inflammatory systems in rodents and humans, there's much reason to expect that anatabine will demonstrate similar properties in humans. In fact, the team went on to demonstrate that in human blood inflamed with LPS, the presence of anatabine dramatically dampened the inflammatory response, a result also included in the paper."

Paul L. Perito, Star Scientific's Chairman, President and COO, stated, "Our research partner, the Roskamp Institute, has once again secured publication of its cutting edge science in the prestigious European Journal of Pharmacology. This publication underscores the worthy productivity of Dr. Michael Mullan (MD/PhD) and his talented cadre of research scientists, who have better illuminated another contour of anatabine's anti-inflammatory properties. It is one thing to know that our anatabine compound has biological effects; it is far better to have mechanistic data that supports appropriate use and offers a mechanism for those effects."

As previously reported, a human clinical trial analyzing the effects of supplementation with Star Scientific's anatabine compound on individuals with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease is currently in progress at the Roskamp Institute.

Certain statements contained in this release constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements include, but are not limited to statements identified by words such as "believes," "expects," "anticipates," "estimates," "intends," "plans," "targets," "projects" and similar expressions. The statements in this release are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of our company's management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. Numerous factors could cause or contribute to such differences, including, but not limited to, results of clinical trials, the challenges inherent in new product development initiatives, including the continued development and market acceptance of our nutraceutical and low-TSNA tobacco products, our ability to license and protect our intellectual property, our ability to raise additional capital in the future that is necessary to maintain our business, changes in government policy and/or regulation, including with respect to our nutraceutical and low-TSNA tobacco products, as well as other risks discussed from time to time in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including, without limitation, our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011. We undertake no duty to update any forward-looking statement or any information contained in this press release or in other public disclosures at any time.

About Star Scientific Star Scientific, Inc. is a technology-oriented company with a mission to promote maintenance of a healthy metabolism, as well as to reduce the harm associated with the use of tobacco at every level. Over the last several years, through its wholly owned subsidiary, Rock Creek Pharmaceuticals, Star Scientific has been engaged in the manufacturing, sale, and marketing of two nutraceutical dietary supplements, and the development of other nutraceuticals and pharmaceuticals. The company also has continued to pursue the development, implementation, and licensing of the technology behind its proprietary StarCured® tobacco curing process, which substantially prevents the formation of carcinogenic toxins present in tobacco and tobacco smoke, primarily the tobacco-specific nitrosamines, or TSNAs and related low-TSNA dissolvable tobacco products. Rock Creek Pharmaceuticals has scientific and research offices in Gloucester, MA, and a regulatory office in Washington, DC. Star Scientific has a Corporate and Sales Office in Glen Allen, VA; Executive, Scientific & Regulatory Affairs offices in Bethesda, MD, and Washington, DC; and a manufacturing facility in Chase City, VA.